Found the Family Silver!

[UnderMiner]

Visited the dump today expecting the usual 2 cents and a broken VCR, instead I spotted a crushed candle holder. Ever curious, I picked it up and I looked it over. To my surprise I spotted a ".925" stamp! In shock I looked around the place to see if I could find its mate! But what I found was even better. In a nearby a pile of junk were, among other things, someone's entire family silver set!

The entire hoard consists of two hollow sterling candle holders, a little sterling saucer, sterling sugar bowl, an amazingly detailed sterling and gold washed goblet, and an unbelievably exquisite sterling cake stand. Will undoubtedly be returning tomorrow to make sure I got everything!

In total the hoard contains 1,178 grams of Sterling, or 2.6 pounds. What a haul!

The plunder very shortly after discovery:


The sterling goblet. "My God..." were my only words upon seeing it.
It is damaged unfortunately, but it is still one of the most beautiful treasures I have ever found:


My attempts to repair the goblet succeeded to some extent but I've decided to let a professional take over from here. If I had to guess I'd say it's from the early 1900's:


The sterling cake tray is the biggest and best preserved piece in the hoard. I cleaned the grime off of it a bit for these pictures:


It was made by Reed and Barton, which my research indicates is an insanely expensive brand. This piece alone may easily be worth over a grand:


The sticks were the first things I found and I thought they were junk, but they're marked ".925" sterling. One is crushed beyond repair. Both are hollow :


The sterling sugar bowl (before I fixed it) and the small sterling saucer:

 

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[Argentium]

Absolutely stunning ! I think this is easily Banner Worthy ! (or I'm interested in hearing why not !)

 

[DirtStalker]

Man that is one Amazing find. What a haul. And it was thrown awayl

 

[mikeinOC1]

That is so cool. Thanks for sharing. It just amazes me the kind of stuff some people throw out. Always wonder what were the circumstances that would prompt someone to toss items of such value. Hey Jeff I agree with Arentium. Wouldn't it be worth a banner consideration ? There are amazing finds not found with detectors that often equal or surpass any detector find and usually come with a unique story behind them. If only these pieces could talk.

 

[basque-man]

All I can say is WOW!!!!!!!!! That is a wonderful save. Congrats on the outstanding find!!!!!!!

 

[g-olden years]

Super! And I think any naysayers who put down dump & dumpster diving will be pretty quiet right now, lol. Andi

 

[huntsman53]

Man UnderMiner, you killed it again! Folks use to be able to go to the Sanitation Landfills (Dumps) here and collect all of the Copper, Aluminum and other great items that were thrown out and still good or very valuable. However, all of that has changed and the folks that work at the Landfills as well as some Jail Inmates they bring in, go through everything that comes in and separate everything that is recyclable and more. At the local Landfill here, they have now gone as far as pulling out the items that are still good (some still new in box) and sell them onsite. The days of rummaging through other's trash and throw outs is gone to us here. Dang, if it weren't for the high rent, the high costs of living and the really cold winters up there which is getting rougher on my' old bones, I would be there in a Tennessee/New York minute and be doing the things you are doing!


Frank

 

[cjon455]

this is an absolutely insane find!

 

[okerraine]

Oh man I love that silver. Way to go friend!

 

[BFR]

EXCELLENT FIND!!!!


BFR

 

[pepperj]

Cha-Ching save, well done!

 

[park pirate]

Sweet man...

 

[The Aluminum Monster]

I am easily seduced by shiny objects. On my avatar it says "all types of treasure hunting". After looking at a lot of your posts, you have convinced me to keep my eyes open to the curb and when I visit the dump. When I lived in Maine, when I would go to the dump, I would usually hit the wood pile looking for usable lumber. Never would I think to keep an eye on the metal bin for possible treasure.

You have certainly inspired me. Thank you for your posts and I truly wish you continued success. It is always a pleasure to see you show your finds. Congrats.

 

[CoinandRelicMan]

Very nice save there Underminer thanks for sharing it with us !

 

[46Wheat]

wow just wow

 

[OBN]

You never cease to Amaze us with your recoveries...

 

[Ogre1190]

As the Sheriff said in " The Goonies "... Holy Mary, Mother of God!

 

[tanz 82]

Omg banner

 

[sutphin]

MR.MINER WHILE OUT SEARCHING TODAY HE FOUND A SILVER TEA SERVING SET SOMEONE HAD THROWN AWAY, ALL THESE ITEMS THAT HE HAD FOUND, MADE NO SENSE TO HIM WHY THEY WHERE SCATTERED ABOUT. CANDLE STICK HOLDER AND A PLATTER IF THIS IS NOT BANNER FINDS SOMETHING A MATTER. WOW AWESOME HAUL.....

 

[UnderMiner]

I am easily seduced by shiny objects. On my avatar it says "all types of treasure hunting". After looking at a lot of your posts, you have convinced me to keep my eyes open to the curb and when I visit the dump. When I lived in Maine, when I would go to the dump, I would usually hit the wood pile looking for usable lumber. Never would I think to keep an eye on the metal bin for possible treasure.

You have certainly inspired me. Thank you for your posts and I truly wish you continued success. It is always a pleasure to see you show your finds. Congrats.

Thanks! The reason I started hunting the dumps/dumpsters/trash is because when I was a little kid my mom told me the reason all the old toys in the antique shop were so expensive was because so many people threw away their old toys. With my simple childhood logic I said, 'so why don't we just look in people's garbage for all the expensive toys they threw out?' It sounded like a silly idea, but to this day I've probably found more treasure disposed of in the trash than anywhere else.
Good luck in your search for riches!